Gerard Karsenty, MD, PhD

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Overview

Academic Appointments

Paul A. Marks Professor of Genetics and Development

Professor of Medicine

Administrative Titles

Chair, Genetics and Development Department

Gerard Karsenty M.D., Ph.D., is the Paul A. Marks M.D., Professor and Chair of the Department of Genetics and Development at Columbia University Medical center, New York City. In the last 20 years, his laboratory has studied every aspect of skeletal biology ranging from development to physiology. His laboratory deciphered the molecular bases of osteoblast-specific gene expression, a work that culminated in his identification of Runx2 as the master gene of osteoblast differentiation. This was followed by the identification of an entire cascade of transcription factors regulating osteoblast differentiation and of Gm2 as the master gene of parathyroid gland development. In approaching bone physiology Karsenty proposed that there is a coordinated control endocrine in nature, of bone mass, energy metabolism and fertility. The Karsenty lab has verified in the mouse and whenever possible in humans all tenets of this hypothesis. One of them is that bone should be an endocrine organ regulating energy metabolism and reproduction. This led to the identification of osteocalcin as a bone-derived hormone needed for insulin secretion, glucose homeostasis, testosterone secretion by Leydig cells of the testes and male fertility, brain development cognition and adaptation to exercise. Currently his work focuses through the definition of all functions of osteocalcin in understanding why would bone be an endocrine organ.

Languages

French

Credentials & Experience

Education & Training

MD, PhD, Physiology, Paris Medical School, France

Fellowship: MD Anderson Cancer Center

Fellowship: National Institute of Health

Honors & Awards

2017: Elected Associate Member of EMBO

2017: The AACE Frontiers in Science Award

2016: Steven's Triennial Prize for Excellence in Original Medical Research